Issues in the design and use of wearable computers

Wearable computers are fully functional, self-powered, self-contained computers that allow the user to access information anywhere and at any time. In this paper, design issues for wearable computers are discussed, including power considerations, use of input devices, image registration, and the use of wearable computers for the design of smart spaces. Application areas for wearable computers are presented, including medicine, manufacturing, maintenance, and as personal assistants. Finally, future research directions for wearable computers are indicated.     

Consumer valuation of the wearables: The case of smartwatches

Wearable devices indicate objects encompassing both mobile computing and fashion characteristics. Although the combination of the two characteristics is relatively new, consumers’ recognition of smartwatches, one type of wearable, is increasing. However, despite the heightened interest in smartwatches, sales are growing more slowly than expected. In order to comprehend this, we should understand potential consumers’ perceptions of smartwatches. This study explored how much potential consumers value various smartwatch attributes by examining their preference structure of the wearable. The preference structure was generated from a conjoint analysis including five smartwatch attributes: brand, price, standalone communication, display shape, and display size. We also compared findings by user group (current wristwatch users vs. non-users). Results showed that display shape and standalone communication are more critical factors influencing respondents’ smartwatch choices than brand and price for both types of users. Results also revealed that a curved display shape is most preferred.     

Is the smartwatch an IT product or a fashion product? A study on factors affecting the intention to use smartwatches

Smartwatches, among many wearable form factors, have become an important starting point for the wide dissemination of wearable devices. Not only are smartwatches a new IT product, they are also a fashion product. Recognizing the smartwatch as the converging point of IT innovation and fashion, the current study examines whether factors germane to the characteristics of fashion products affect the intention to use smartwatches. Utilizing the technology acceptance model (TAM) as the base framework, the current study extended the model by incorporating perceived enjoyment and perceived self-expressiveness, which are influenced by an individual’s vanity and need for uniqueness. The findings from 562 Korean respondents indicated that the characteristics of smartwatches as fashion products significantly explain the intention to use a smartwatch, particularly the individual’s desire for uniqueness. A limited effect of vanity on self-expressiveness implies that the smartwatch is not yet deemed a luxury commodity. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as the limitations of the study are further discussed.     

Validating the moderating role of age in multi-perspective acceptance model of wearable healthcare technology

The recent trend of aging population, not to mention the unprecedented pandemic, draws great attention from the general public about health concerns. Since healthcare information technology is different from non-healthcare information technology, additional contexts should be properly incorporated into technology acceptance research to accurately identify influential factors affecting the acceptance of wearable healthcare technology. Thus, we selectively reconfigured factors from health, privacy, and socio-demographic contexts to formulate a health-aware acceptance model. Then, it was empirically analyzed using structural equation modeling. Based on the results, whereas privacy concerns were directly associated with intention to use wearable healthcare technology, health concerns were not. Moreover, age had a moderating effect on social influence and facilitating conditions. These findings suggest valuable insights that the adoption rate of healthcare technology is increased by 1) keeping personal information securely, 2) facilitating social interaction among users, and 3) offering intuitive user experience for elderly people.     

Low-power,noninvasive measurement system for wearable ballistocardiography in sitting and standing positions

Ballistocardiography (BCG), the noninvasive measurement of the reaction forces of the body to the cardiac ejection of blood, is one of few methods available for unobtrusively assessing the mechanical aspects of cardiovascular health outside clinical settings. In this study, two sizes of piezoelectric film sensors were installed into the seat cushion of a chair and the foot insole, respectively, to acquire local BCG signals in sitting and standing positions. The design and engineering implementation of the signal processing circuit and data transmission system are discussed below. Although wearable BCG measurement devices have been extensively researched to date, to the authors’ knowledge, they have never been tested in regards to power consumption and electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity. In this work, comprehensive experiments were conducted to show the low power consumption and high reliability of the proposed system. The shapes and the amplitudes of measured signals were examined in detail. The results suggest that the proposed system can feasibly and reliably be used to continuously record and evaluate cardiovascular changes occurring throughout an individual’s daily life.     

Enzymatic sensing with laccase-functionalized textile organic biosensors

Herein we present a textile wearable electrochemical transistor by functionalizing a single cotton yarn with semiconducting polymer. The organic electrochemical transistor (OECT), which is low cost and completely integrated e-textile, is decorated by adsorption of the fungal laccase POXA1b, and is used as biosensor for the direct detection of Tyrosine (L-Tyr) without the use of electron mediators. The detection of Tyr in real-case scenario such as human physiological fluids would own a paramount importance in noninvasive analysis of the patient's condition, monitoring and preventing several pathologies. To assess the reaction progression, the redox process is studied by UV–visible absorption with test reference molecule of 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS): the results confirmed that the oxidation reaction is driven by the presence of laccase enzyme and direct electron transfer occurred. The modulation of the signal response and the kinetic of the signal is used to detect Tyr molecule in aqueous solution and the role of the enzyme adsorption on the textile is analyzed. A kinetic analysis of the characteristic modulation times of the sensing curves, confirm the sensing properties of the textile device. The textile-based biosensor is demonstrated to monitor human health biomarkers through wearable applications in a non-invasive way, finding potential application in sport, healthcare and working safety.     

可穿戴式无线网络技术研究及应用

本文从可穿戴式计算机的概念出发,提出了可穿戴式无线网络的概念。并运用IEEE802.15标准中的蓝牙和Zig鄄Bee技术构建了可穿戴式无线网络模型,阐明了它们的服务原理,分析了可穿戴式无线网络的核心技术。最后展望了可穿戴式无线网络在不同领域的应用。     

Wearable vibrotactile systems for virtual contact and information display

This paper presents a development history of a wearable, scalable vibrotactile stimulus delivery system. This history has followed a path from desktop-based, fully wired systems, through hybrid approaches consisting of a wireless connection from the host computer to a body-worn control box and wires to each tactor, to a completely wireless system employing Bluetooth technology to connect directly from the host to each individual tactor unit. Applications for such a system include delivering vibrotactile contact cues to users of virtual environments, providing directional cues in order to increase situational awareness in both real and virtual environments, and for general information display in wearable contexts. Through empirical study, we show that even a simple configuration, such as eight tactors arrayed around the torso, can be effective in increasing situational awareness in a building-clearing task, compared to users who perform the same task without the added cues.     

Glove Based User Interaction Techniques for Augmented Reality in an Outdoor Environment

This paper presents a set of pinch glove-based user interface tools for an outdoor wearable augmented reality computer system. The main form of user interaction is the use of hand and head gestures. We have developed a set of augmented reality information presentation techniques. To support direct manipulation, the following three selection techniques have been implemented: two-handed framing, line of sight and laser beam. A new glove-based text entry mechanism has been developed to support symbolic manipulation. A scenario for a military logistics task is described to illustrate the functionality of this form of interaction.     

Accessing Context in Wearable Computers

We present an easy interaction technique for accessing location-based contextual data shown on a head-worn wearable computer display. Our technique, called Context Compass, is based on a regular compass metaphor. Each object belonging to the user’s current context is visualised on a linear compass shown on the screen. The object directly in front of the user is shown in the middle of the compass and can be activated. Whenever the user turns his or her head, the objects on the screen move accordingly. Therefore, an object can be selected by simply turning one’s head towards it. Context Compass consumes a minimal amount of screen space, making it ideal for usage with see-through head-worn displays. An initial pilot study, applying a newly developed usability method customised especially for Context Compass, revealed that Context Compass can be learned virtually immediately. Further, the method itself proved to be successful in evaluating techniques such as Context Compass.